Stirring Up Memories: 5 Ways to Make Soup Night a Fun Family Activity

Stirring Up Memories: 5 Ways to Make Soup Night a Fun Family Activity

Mar 26th 2015

Turn soup night into a hands-on, screen-free tradition your kids will love.

Soup might not be the flashiest meal on the table—but it’s one of the most nourishing, comforting, and adaptable dishes you can make with your kids. With simple steps like chopping, stirring, and seasoning, soup offers the perfect opportunity for little hands to get involved in the kitchen—and a delicious way to build lifelong healthy habits.

Whether it’s a Sunday family tradition or a cozy weeknight ritual, here are five easy ways to make soup a kid-approved activity that everyone can enjoy.

1. Make It a Hands-On Family Project

There’s something magical about cooking together—especially when the recipe is warm, simple, and forgiving. Have your kids help prep the ingredients: rinsing beans, snapping green beans, measuring broth, or adding soup mix to the pot.

Even toddlers can toss veggies into a bowl, and older kids can learn to safely chop, stir, and season. Soup is low-stress and high-reward—perfect for first-time kitchen helpers.

Tip: Assign everyone a job, turn on some music, and make it your family’s new “no-phone” night.

2. Kids Eat with Their Eyes (and Noses)

When trying new foods, kids respond best to color, texture, and smell. Let them smell the spices as you add them in, notice how ingredients change in the pot, and see the vibrant colors of carrots, corn, or kale swirl together. Even picky eaters can be won over by the aroma of something bubbling on the stove.

Want to add a fun twist? Try using vegetable-shaped pasta, rainbow carrots, or even write a secret “ingredient code” for them to decipher!

3. Add a Fun Sidekick: Bread or Crackers for Dipping

Soup + dipping = instant upgrade. Offering sourdough chunks, cornbread muffins, or silly-shaped crackers turns soup into more of a hands-on experience—and keeps kids more engaged at the table.

Let them taste-test different breads or even bake a quick drop biscuit together while the soup simmers.

4. Blend in the Veggies (Literally)

If your kids are veggie-cautious, let soup be your secret weapon. Use an immersion blender to turn a chunky vegetable soup into a smooth, creamy blend. Kids are often more open to trying new ingredients when they’re blended into something warm and familiar.

Try this with broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, or cauliflower—especially when paired with a little cheese or cream for richness.

5. Explore the Classics—and Then Mix It Up

Chicken noodle might be the gold standard, but don’t stop there! Use your family’s tastes, heritage, or favorite ingredients as inspiration. One night could be a hearty chicken stew, another a veggie-packed lentil soup, and another a spicy taco-inspired soup with toppings on the side.

Looking for a place to start? Try these crowd-pleasers from our collection:

Pro Tip: If the soup’s too hot for little ones, stir in a small ice cube before serving.